Introduction: Why Smartphone Mining Is Raising So Many Questions
Mining cryptocurrency on mobile devices is a topic full of myths and conflicting reviews. On the one hand, Xiaomi smartphone manufacturers (including the Redmi line, POCO And Mi) offer devices with powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen or Dimensity processors that are theoretically capable of performing computational tasks. ASIC-So where is the truth?
In this article, we will discuss the real ways of mining on Xiaomi (including hidden features). MIUI), We will analyze the profitability on the example of popular cryptocurrencies (Monero, Ethereum Classic), assess the risks to the battery and processor, and also offer alternative options for passive earnings.
If you’re expecting a “get rich quick with the Redmi Note 12,” you’ll be warned: there’s no such recipe. But if you’re interested in tech nuances, blockchain experiments, or the way a idle device coins work, read on.
What Xiaomi Smartphones Are Right for Mining (and Why Most Aren’t)
Not all Xiaomi devices are equally useful for mining.
- 🔥 Processor: Flagship chips only (Snapdragon) 888/8 Gen 1/2/3 or Dimensity 9000/9200). Budget Helio G or Snapdragon 4/6 The series will burn in an hour of intense load.
- 🔋 Battery: capacity from 5000 mAh (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi K60). Mining discharges the battery in 2-3 hours even when connected to charging.
- 🧊 Cooling system: liquid cooling (available in Black Shark, Mi 11 Ultra) without it, the processor will trottle at 70.°C.
- 🛠️ Unlocked bootloader: for custom cores or alternative OS installations (e.g. LineageOS), which improves efficiency by 15-20%.
The table below compares popular Xiaomi models by mining suitability (rated 1 to 10, where 10 is the maximum efficiency):
| Model | Processor | Cooling | AKB capacity | Assessing for mining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Shark 5 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Liquid + fan | 4650 mAh | 9/10 |
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Liquid | 5,000 mAh | 8/10 |
| POCO F5 Pro | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Liquid | 5160 mAh | 8/10 |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Dimensity 1080 | Graphite plates | 5,000 mAh | 5/10 |
| POCO X5 Pro | Snapdragon 778G | Passive. | 5,000 mAh | 3/10 |
Even Xiaomi’s flagship models are 10 to 15 times less efficient than the average. ASIC-Miner (e.g. Antminer) S19). Mining on the phone is justified only in three cases: testing algorithms, training or participation in little-known blockchain projects with low network complexity.
Xiaomi Mining Methods: From Mobile Apps to Hidden Features MIUI
There are three main methods of mining on Xiaomi smartphones:
- Mobile applications (e.g. MinerGate, CryptoTab) The simplest way, but with minimal returns - up to $0.1 a day on the flagship.
- Terminal mining through ADB It allows you to connect to pools (for example, MoneroOcean) and use full power. CPU/GPU.
- Hidden functions MIUI. Xiaomi firmware has undocumented capabilities for distributed computing (for example, through com.miui.cloudservice).
Let’s look at each method in more detail.
1. Mining through applications (for beginners)
The safest, but also the most inefficient way.
- 📱 MinerGate Mobile Miner: Supports Monero (XMR), Ethereum Classic (ETC) bytecoin (BCN). The interface is intuitive, but the pool commission is 1.5%.
- 💰 CryptoTab Browser: Mining Bitcoin through the cloud (actually rents power) and profitability depends on browser activity.
- ⚡ NeonNeon Miner: Specializes in Monero, but requires root rights to fully optimize.
Instructions for setting up MinerGate:
- Download APK from the official website (not from Google Play!).
- Register and select a pool (for example, xmr.pool.minergate.com:45700).
- In the settings, specify the number of threads (threads): for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the optimal 4-6.
- Activate the Low Power Mode to reduce heat.
💡
Use the app. CPU Throttling Test from Google Play to check if it is not limited MIUI Processor performance at long load.
2. Terminal mining via Termux (for advanced)
It's more flexible, but it requires knowledge of Linux commands.
- Install Termux from F-Droid (Google Play version is outdated).
- Update: pkg update & pkg upgrade pkg install git wget proot-distro
- Download a miner (for example, XMRig for Monero): git clone https://github.com/xmrig/xmrig.git cd xmrig && mkdir build && cd build cmake.. -DWITH_HWLOC=OFF make -j$(nproc)
Configuration file config.json for XMRig (example for MoneroOcean pool):
{
"autosave": true,
"cpu": {
"enabled": true,
"huge-pages": true,
"huge-pages-jit": false,
"max-cpu-usage": 85,
"assembly":"auto",
"priority": null
},
"pools": [
{
"url":"gulf.moneroocean.stream:10031",
"user":"YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS",
"pass":"x",
"rig-id":"Xiaomi",
"nicehash": false
}
]
}Install Termux from F-Droid|Update packages (pkg update)|Download XMRig or another miner|Set up config.json wallet-address|Start mining in the background (nohup)
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3. Hidden opportunities MIUI distributed-computing
In the firmware MIUI 14+ There are undocumented services that can be adapted for mining:
- com.miui.cloudservice: Used to synchronize data, but can redirect computing resources to external tasks.
- com.xiaomi.midrop: a file transfer service where you can run scripts in Python via SL4A (Scripting Layer for Android).
- com.miui.securitycenter: allows you to bypass restrictions on background activity (root required).
To activate hidden functions:
- Get root rights through Magisk.
- Install Activity Launcher and find hidden activities (e.g, com.miui.cloudservice/.ui.CloudServiceActivity).
- Use Tasker to automate the start of mining on schedule.
How to get around restrictions MIUI background?
Calculation of profitability: how much can you earn on Xiaomi in 2026
Let’s calculate the real profit on the example of Xiaomi 13 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) and mining Monero (XMR) — One of the few cryptocurrencies that can still be mined CPU.
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hashrate (XMRig, 4 streams) | ~2.5 kH/s |
| Electricity consumption | ~15 W (including charging) |
| Cost of 1 kWh (Russia, average) | 5 rubles |
| Yield per day (on exchange rate) XMR $160) | $0.3–$0.5 |
| Electricity costs per day | ~1.8 rubles (~$0.02) |
| Net income per month | $8–$12 |
Conclusions:
- 💸 Profit is minuscule: for a month of continuous mining, you will earn the maximum $12 — The phone will be working at the limit of its capabilities. 24/7.
- 🔌 Electricity eats up the lion’s share of income: in countries with high tariffs (for example, Europe), mining will go into the red.
- 📉 The rate of cryptocurrency is unstable: during the mining Monero may fall in price by 30-50%.
💡
Mining on Xiaomi in 2026 is not about earnings, but about experiments. ASIC Smartphone is suitable only for testing algorithms or mining new (little known) coins with low complexity.
⚠️ Attention: Mining on a phone with mobile data transfer enabled (4G/5G) It may lead to a blockage. SIM-Many providers (e.g. MegaFon or Beeline) regard constant traffic to pools as “suspicious activity».
Risks for the phone: what breaks first
Long-term mining causes irreversible damage to the components of the smartphone.
- Battery: Capacity drops by 20–30% in 3–6 months when mining around the clock. ~500 charging cycles. Mining reduces that to 200 to 300 cycles.
- Processor: Trottling (automatic frequency reduction) begins at 75-80°C. Snapdragon 8 Gen is protected at 90°C. soldered joints ("silver") are loosened due to constant heating/cooling.
Screen and touchpad
- OLED-screen (AMOLED Xiaomi 13 or POCO F4) Degrade faster due to overheating of the substrate.
- The touchpad may start to "glutch" due to the expansion of metal tracks.
⚠️ Note: If you mine on a phone with an unlocked bootloader and custom firmware, the Xiaomi warranty automatically burns. the Service Center will refuse repairs, even if the breakdown is not related to mining (for example, a broken screen).
💡
To mitigate the risks, use external cooling, such as a laptop cooler (Cooler Master NotePal) or a liquid cooler (Black Shark FunCooler Pro), which will extend the life of the processor by 15-20%.
Alternatives to mining: how to make money on Xiaomi without risking iron
If the target is coins of a idle smartphone, but without the risk of burning it in a month, consider these options:
- 📊 Cryptocurrency Steaking: Some wallets (such as Trust Wallet or Exodus) allow passive income for holding coins. Yields: 3-12% per annum.
- 🤖 Bots for Exchanges: Write a Python script (via Termux) for arbitrage or scalping on the Internet Binance/Bybit. Profits: $20–100/A month with the right strategy.
- 📱 Remote rental of computing power: services like Boinc or Folding@home They pay for participation in scientific projects (e.g., protein modeling: $5–20/month.
- 🎮 Cloud Gaming: Renting Your Phone to Stream Games via Shadow or GeForce NOW (Need a stable and stable Internet).
Comparison of alternatives on profitability and risks:
| Method | Income/month | Risk to the phone | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Monero | $8–$12 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (critical) | Medium |
| Steaking (USDT, BNB) | $10–$50 | ⭐ (no risk) | Low. |
| Arbitration bots | $20–$100 | ⭐⭐ (minimum) | Tall. |
| Boinc/Folding@home | $5–$20 | ⭐⭐ (moderate) | Low. |
💡
The safest and most profitable option is stable coin steaking (USDT, BUSD) These methods don't load iron, but they require seed capital (~$100–$500).
Step-by-step: how to start mining on Xiaomi with minimal risks
If you do decide to try mining, follow this algorithm to minimize damage to your phone:
- Preparation of the device: Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (for example, MIUI 14.0.5. disable all background applications via Settings → Annexes → Install AccuBattery to monitor battery status.
- Cooling: Use an external cooler (such as the Baseus Cooling Pad). Remove the case and mine in a ventilated room.
- Software selection: For beginners: MinerGate (set the heating limit to 70)°For advanced: XMRig in Termux with config for 2-3 streams.
Monitoring:
- Install. CPU Monitor for tracking temperature and core loading.
- Set up notifications when exceeding 75°C (via Tasker).
Update MIUI last-minute|Disable auto-run of unnecessary applications|Connect external cooling|Install AccuBattery and CPU Monitor|Set the temperature limit in the miner (max. 70)°C)|Check the stability of the Internet connection
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Example of XMRig config with secure settings:
{
"cpu": {
"enabled": true,
"huge-pages": true,
"huge-pages-jit": false,
"max-cpu-usage": 70, // Limiting load
"priority": null,
"asm":"auto",
"threads": 2 // No more than 2-3 streams for Snapdragon 8 Gen
},
"pools": [
{
"url":"xmr.pool.minergate.com:45700",
"user": "your wallet address,"
"pass":"x",
"keepalive": true,
"nicehash": false
}
]
}